Holland’s long standing operatic Metaler’s After
Forever have returned with their most hopeful release to date. The self
titled effort marks the bands first venture with Nuclear Blast Records and the
first album to be released domestically here in the United States. Led by chief songwriter, guitarist
and all around mastermind Sander Gommans and the decisively alluring voice of
frontwoman and Gothic beauty Floor Jansen, After Forever stand ready to
take the lead in the ever escalating battle of the female led Metal band
phenomenon that has been on a steady climb since the introduction of Evanescence
and Lacuna Coil to the American audience just a few years ago. These
Heavy Metal femme fatale’s have drastically changed the impact of Metal as we
know it allowing for severely broadened acceptance by much of society. Who’d of
dreamed that the fusion of opera and Metal would be such a tremendous success
or even possible to begin with.
It’s no wonder that the members of After
Forever are so dead on in the delivery of their superiorly focused talents
as they have been in existence since 1995, a fact that most of the Evanescence
fan base is unaware of. The fact is that this type of music has been very
popular outside the U.S. for many years now. Encompassing
all of the bands finest moments from their past works this new self titled
offering will undoubtedly provide the listener with a very true to life
representation of what After Forever are capable. The first single and
video “Energize Me” is the perfect choice as it will no doubt garner quite a
bit of attention at active radio. Additional stand out cuts include the
divinely inspired “Withering Time” and the passionate “Empty Memories”. Floor
Jansen is uniquely fitted for this band and her sultry operatic voice is finely
tuned with admonishingly fine detail. Adding just the right amount of accent is
Gommans guttural bellows giving them a sound of extreme proportions.
I just can’t seem to get enough of
this evolved style of Metal and After Forever are definitely at the top
with this latest installment and worthy of every ounce of praise thrown their
way. I look forward to hearing more from this band over the next few years.
-Priest
